The Grand Circuit's weekly overview highlights its upcoming races at Yonkers Raceway.
This Week: Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata Pacing series fourth legs, MGM Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, New York. This is the opening event of the 2023 Grand Circuit season.
Schedule of Events: The Grand Circuit at Yonkers features three $40,000 divisions on Friday, April 7 in the fourth round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for open pacing mares. The Monday, April 10 card at Yonkers will have three $50,000 divisions in the fourth round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series for open pacers.
Each series offers five preliminary rounds leading to the finales, both set for Monday, April 24.
Complete entries for the races can be found on the USTA website.
Last Time: The third leg of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series went postward Monday evening (April 3) at Yonkers Raceway, and fans saw some new faces find their way to victory lane in four divisions. Click here to read the complete recap.
Off to a perfect start in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, Amazing Dream N was the fastest of the popular third leg winners on Friday night (March 31) at MGM Yonkers Raceway. Click here to read the complete recap.
For a list of 2023 race winners on the Grand Circuit, click here.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2023, the Grand Circuit leaders in three categories (driver, trainer and owner) will once again be tracked on a points system (20-10-5 for the top three finishers in divisions/finals and 10-5-2 for the top three finishers in eliminations/legs). Winbak Farms is the sponsor for the 2023 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the leaders (through the races on April 3, 2023):
Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 62; 2. Matt Kakaley – 60; 3. Jordan Stratton – 41; 4. Scott Zeron – 30; 5. Jason Bartlett – 29.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 42; 2. Travis Alexander – 36; 3. Linda Toscano – 35; 4t. Shane Tritton – 32; 4t. Jared Bako – 32.
Owners: 1. Team Tritton Inc. – 25; 2. 1362313 Ontario Ltd. – 20; 3t. Mark Ford – 18; 3t. Robert Di Nozzi – 18; 5t. Flatland Racing – 15; 5t. The OK Corral – 15; 5t. Fiddler’s Creek Stables – 15.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will continue with the final legs of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata next week. The finals for both events will be held on April 24.
(With files from The Grand Circuit)